Advice please

AndyHildreth · 15 September 2019, 14:19

Good afternoon,
I am looking at buying a small Rib, 380, or 4m in length. The size is important as I will be launching by myself at the campsite slip, which is a partial pebble type beach, weight being the issue! . I will be buying second hand, and I am looking at spending no more than £4,000. Would anyone be willing to give me any advice, to the type of rib to look out for and any further selling sites apart from Ebay or gumtree.
With thanks
Andy

Fenlander · 15 September 2019, 14:32

Hi Andy and welcome to the forum.

Are you just looking at a GRP or alloy hard hull RIB or also considering a soft floor SIB?

David

beamishken · 15 September 2019, 16:22

We replaced our air deck tender with a ribeye aluminium hull tender and its actually lighter
If you want light then aluminium is probably the way to go.

Pikey Dave · 15 September 2019, 18:16

The AB ally RIBs are tidy & use Hypalon for the tubes. My mate has one as a tender on a yacht in Mexico & it takes some abuse.

jeffstevens763@g · 16 September 2019, 09:31

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/F-RIB-375...p2056016.l4276

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Hi Andy and welcome to the forum.

Are you just looking at a GRP or alloy hard hull RIB or also considering a soft floor SIB?

David

Really not sure, will SIB have longevity, I am open to as much advice as possible, I am beginning to realise it's a bit of a minefield!

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

We replaced our air deck tender with a ribeye aluminium hull tender and its actually lighter
If you want light then aluminium is probably the way to go.

Thank you very much for the advice

beamishken · 16 September 2019, 15:28

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F193091733703

That may be a better bet than an frib or a full inflatable. A rigid hull will always outperform an inflatable & the frib whilst lightweight the extra bulkheads required to make it fold will add weight over a straightforward rigid boat.
If you can find a rigid hull boat that meets your criteria then thats the way I'd tend to go unless you require the boat to fold for storage there is little to gain from a folding boat apart from an inflatable will be cheaper but with your budget you can afford the rigid boat

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by beamishken

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F193091733703

That may be a better bet than an frib or a full inflatable. A rigid hull will always outperform an inflatable & the frib whilst lightweight the extra bulkheads required to make it fold will add weight over a straightforward rigid boat.
If you can find a rigid hull boat that meets your criteria then thats the way I'd tend to go unless you require the boat to fold for storage there is little to gain from a folding boat apart from an inflatable will be cheaper but with your budget you can afford the rigid boat

Thank you so much, it will be 2 adults 1 child and a dog on board, but most of the time I should just be one adult and child. It's so difficult to work out what will be the best for us

Fenlander · 16 September 2019, 16:27

Will the boat live at the campsite or be trailed about the place? Are you ok for trailer/boat storage space and happy to tow? Or would something that could pack away in the garage and travel in the car be an advantage?

Max... · 16 September 2019, 16:30

So many variables here and maybe some more info will help us advise better.

Are you only launching at this one site?

Is it coastal or a lake?

You mention slipway but then pebbles - makes a big difference!

What do you want to do with the boat?

There is a boat for everyone but it's always a compromise - have you read the stickies in the SIB section?

[edit - posted at same time as Fen' - thinking the same re' more info please!

)

Fenlander · 16 September 2019, 16:50

Yep I was thinking...

We are committed sibbers as we don’t have room for a boat on trailer at home... I prefer not to have trailer liability on long trips... and a trailer can be an added faff to find a space at launch locations. Also there are launch locations we use where there’s little space for a trailer launch. But that’s just what suits us at the moment.

If youngest daughter left home though so we lost a car and if we slightly changed launch locations then a trailer alloy hull 4m RIB with tiller steer appeals. Such as the Ribeye outfit linked above.

ozz · 16 September 2019, 16:54

We have just done our first season in a 3.6M FRIB with a 4 stroke 20hp and it has been perfect. We Have same requirements with 2 adults, dog and 8year old. Have taken it across the Solent a few times so very seaworthy.
The best bit is how light they are. With the jockey wheels lowered at the back you can just wheel it up or down a beach/slipway. Makes beaching for lunch or unfamiliar places so much easier than our larger predecessor RIB.

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Will the boat live at the campsite or be trailed about the place? Are you ok for trailer/boat storage space and happy to tow? Or would something that could pack away in the garage and travel in the car be an advantage?

The boat will probably live at the campsite, but will require a trailer to move it to the storage area, was looking for something more than a bench to sit on as I will hopefully be sitting on it for a few hours at a Tim'e fishing, all being well!

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 17:55

What about the hull? Is it inflatable? Or solid? Great advice appreciated, did you buy it new or were you lucky enough to find one on line?

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

So many variables here and maybe some more info will help us advise better.

Are you only launching at this one site?

Is it coastal or a lake?

You mention slipway but then pebbles - makes a big difference!

What do you want to do with the boat?

There is a boat for everyone but it's always a compromise - have you read the stickies in the SIB section?

[edit - posted at same time as Fen' - thinking the same re' more info please!

)

Apologies, the slip is a coastal slip which is concrete, but the stops to go over about 20 meters of sand/pebbles . The site is on the north of the lyyn peninsular, North Wales. I am hoping to use the boat to fish, and to have days out exploring bays along the coast with the family. I will not be going any further than 1 mile out at the very max.

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozz

We have just done our first season in a 3.6M FRIB with a 4 stroke 20hp and it has been perfect. We Have same requirements with 2 adults, dog and 8year old. Have taken it across the Solent a few times so very seaworthy.
The best bit is how light they are. With the jockey wheels lowered at the back you can just wheel it up or down a beach/slipway. Makes beaching for lunch or unfamiliar places so much easier than our larger predecessor RIB.

I take it once inflated, you are ok to leave it up for the season?

Max... · 16 September 2019, 19:51

Given that use and launch site then no need to compromise on an air floor. Any decent brand circa 4m alu floor SIB or if more sea keeping ability then a similar sized RIB will be fine.

As always I’d advise a nice used outfit to see how you go first. Plenty around secondhand on eBay complete with trailer, engine and often accessories anywhere from £1500/2000 upwards.

Here’s a perfect example:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F333330888561

AndyHildreth · 16 September 2019, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max...

Given that use and launch site then no need to compromise on an air floor. Any decent brand circa 4m alu floor SIB or if more sea keeping ability then a similar sized RIB will be fine.

As always I’d advise a nice used outfit to see how you go first. Plenty around secondhand on eBay complete with trailer, engine and often accessories anywhere from £1500/2000 upwards.

Here’s a perfect example:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F333330888561

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me the advice, really appreciated

AndyHildreth · 17 September 2019, 18:09

With all you help and advice, I now know the RIB to look out for. A 3.8 or 4 meter rib, aluminium hull. Helm and seating for a little one and a further adult, not forgetting the dog! I just want to thank you all for taking the time to offer me the advice I needed. I am humbled that there are still good willing members of the public out there. I missed out on a Brig 3.8 on Ebay last night. Although it may have been a blessing in disguise, as the asking price was just short of £5000, for a 2017 3.8 brig falcon. Others I researched were all touching 10, 000. I suppose I will never know. If you browsing ribs and remember me, please send me the details of any suitabke rib. Right now i am being told by my better half that i am becoming obsessed!
Thank you all again
Andy